Monday, December 10, 2012

Today in Labor History

December 10 -- SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.

First sit-down strike in U.S. called by IWW at General Electric in Schenectady, N.Y. - 1906

International Human Rights Day, commemorating the signing at the United Nations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states, in part: “Everyone has the right to form and join trade unions for the protection of his interests” - 1948

American Federation of Teachers Local 89 in Atlanta, Georgia, disaffiliates from the national union because of an AFT 2012.12.10-history-king-dignitydirective that all its locals integrate. A year later, the AFT expelled all locals that refused to do so - 1956

(All Labor has Dignity: People forget that Dr. Martin Luther King was every bit as committed to economic justice as he was to ending racial segregation. He fought throughout his life to connect the labor and civil rights movements, envisioning them as twin pillars for social reform. As we struggle with massive unemployment, a staggering racial wealth gap, and the near collapse of a financial system that puts profits before people, this collection of King's speeches on labor rights and economic justice underscore his relevance for today. They help us imagine King anew: as a human rights leader whose commitment to unions and an end to poverty was a crucial part of his civil rights agenda.)

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